12-24 Months

Baby is now eating the same foods as the rest of the family. This is great for many reasons. You can now have a little fun planning meals that will please both your toddler and the rest of the family. And you can finally save some time in the kitchen and at the table. Establishing and maintaining a mealtime routine is now easier and you have even more influence because your baby is aware that everyone at the table is eating the same foods.

Cooking: The secret to healthy meals

Pureed baby food is now a thing of the past. It’s time to prepare meals for the whole family and introduce baby to new textures, flavours and tastes, as she continues to discover the wonderful world of food.

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cooking tips

I maintain my good weekly meal planning routine.

I continue to gradually introduce new foods into my baby’s diet.

I prepare balanced meals that include foods from every food group.

I improve some recipes by replacing certain ingredients. For example, I replace part of the meat in a recipe with lentils.

I often cook with my baby close by, talk to her about the various ingredients, and let her handle the food.

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positive effects

I enjoy cooking and I’m proud of the new skills I’m developing.

I foster the development of my baby’s healthy eating habits for life.

My baby develops her independence.

I stimulate my baby’s interest in food and cooking, and foster her language and cognitive development.

I spend quality time with my family when we prepare meals together.

The key to success

There are days when cooking is fun… and probably others when you’d rather take the day off. But one thing is for sure, as you gain experience, you develop your skills and cooking for the whole family becomes easier. Baby is fascinated by everything around her: talk to her and let her handle various foods and cooking utensils.

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I serve a balanced plate

Baby has already celebrated his first birthday! You can now serve him the same varied, colourful, balanced and healthy meals as the rest of the family. From now on, your toddler will look up to and imitate his brothers, sisters and other family members, as well as his parents.

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tips for eating well

I gradually introduce a healthy, balanced and colourful plate to my baby. Vegetables will brighten up his meal!

I’m a good role model and make sure my baby and I eat the same foods. I talk to him about the foods we eat and encourage him to tell me what his favourite foods are.

We eat at set times and I prepare snacks in between meals.

I continue to look for my baby’s signs of being full, and remember to watch for and respect my own!

positive effects

I foster my baby’s language skills and ability to communicate on the subject of food.

I foster my baby’s growth and optimal development.

I encourage my family to listen for and respect their hunger and fullness signals, thereby fostering the development of healthy eating habits.

I help my whole family become healthier; eating well becomes an important family value.

The key to success

Baby turns up his nose to some of the foods you serve? This is a natural reaction. It’s a time to explore and many foods will be rejected at first. The best way for him to begin liking different kinds of food is to serve them several times, which will give him a chance to get used to them.

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The whole family shares the same meal

Baby is growing and is increasingly aware of her place at the family dinner table! She needs a regular family mealtime routine to provide structure and a pleasant environment to feel secure and develop healthy eating habits.

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family mealtime tips

The whole family eats the same foods.

I let baby decide when she’s full, although I can help her by asking a few questions without any pressure. For example, I can ask her if she’s still hungry or if there is any room left in her tummy.

I maintain my good and reassuring mealtime routine by eating at set times in an appropriate place.

I eliminate any distractions and turn the television off so that everyone at the table, baby included, can better recognize their fullness signals.

We enjoy taking the time to eat as a family in a relaxed atmosphere.

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positive effects

I’m a positive role model for my baby and I’m increasingly comfortable with my role and responsibilities as a parent.

My baby learns to listen to her fullness signals because she can pay more attention to them.

The family mealtime routine contributes to my baby’s sense of security.

My baby develops healthy eating habits.

Eating together as a family fosters close family bonds.

The key for success

There is no such thing as the perfect family where every meal is an example of absolute harmony. Between one child’s being tired and another’s refusal to eat anything on her plate, mealtimes can also be stressful. Above all, don’t feel guilty when things don’t go as you planned.